DERBYSHIRE PEAKS and DALES

17th Sept 2008: Edale - Kinder Scout - Edale

Start/Finish at Edale, circa xxxm

Highest point: Kinder Scout, 630m

Distance: circa 15 kms

Weather: Mainly cloudy

Vertical altitude gain: circa 500m

Time: 5 hrs 30 mins

Edale car park

This was my first visit to the Peak District and my guide “Sunnydale” wanted to start me off with a walk that would take me to it’s highest point.....Kinder Scout.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Road from Edale towards Kinder Scout

We left Edale car park on a fairly dull day and followed the road through the village, passing the local Church along the way.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 continued Old Nags Head in Edale Bridge on track from Edale to Grinsbrook Clough path View from bridge on track from Edale to Grinsbrook Clough path Bridge on track from Edale to Grinsbrook Clough path

Just past the village pub (the official start point of the Pennine Way), we came to a footpath signed ‘Grindsbrook’. The path took us over the fast flowing brook via a couple of attractive wooden bridges.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Path up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout

Once across the water, we were on a long moorland path that wends it’s way to the start of ‘Grindsbook Clough’; an exciting ascent onto Kinder Scout!

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Stream by track up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout

Initially the path ran alongside a stream, which is created by water draining off Kinder Scout.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Stream by track up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout Stream by track up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout Stream by track up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout Stream by track up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout

At times the stream and the path became one, so waterproof boots proved essential for keeping feet nice and dry.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Sheep overlooking path up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout

This ‘local’ decided he didn’t want wet feet and just watched us scornfully as we climbed the rocky stream!

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Final section of path up Grinsbrook Clough to Kinder Scout

At the top of the clough the path got steeper and we were soon clambering over rocks and boulders to reach the summit plateau.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 continued View East from Kinder Scout

The weather was still fairly overcast but that didn’t detract from the lovely views back down the valley, where other walkers were now making their way to the top.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Path over Kinder Scout from Grinsbrook Clough

Once on the plateau of Kinder Scout, a slate path cut it’s way along the gently undulating peat landscape.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Rock formation on Kinder Scout

As we skirted the plateau edge, this particular rock caught my attention! At over 2,000ft above sea level, the wind and rain have created an interesting array of shapes over the years.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Kinder Scout Kinder Scout Kinder Scout Kinder Scout

The plateau may have been dull and windswept that day but the frequently changing landscape made up for it. Streams, gullies, rocks and lovely clear views made this a really great walk.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Rock formations on Kinder Scout Rock formations on Kinder Scout

This tower of rock made a useful windbreak as we sat to have lunch, before continuing our way along the plateau edge.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Start of Jacobs Ladder on Kinder Scout

As our path curved round and away from the plateau, we came to the top of our descent route; the recently re-laid ‘Jacob’s Ladder’.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Stone bridge at botom of Jacobs Ladder, Kinder Scout

As we reached the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder, a beautiful valley was revealed, with this quaint stone bridge crossing a stream.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Stone bridge at botom of Jacobs Ladder, Kinder Scout

One last look at the water before carrying on towards Upper Booth.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Stone bridge at botom of Jacobs Ladder, Kinder Scout

The view from the stone bridge at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder, looking back up to Kinder Scout.

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Wood working farm on route back from Kinder Scout to Edale Wood working farm on route back from Kinder Scout to Edale Wood working farm on route back from Kinder Scout to Edale Kitten at wood working farm on route back from Kinder Scout to Edale

In Upper Booth we passed a farm with some outbuildings, a few of which are used as a base for a wood turners business, perhaps protected by this lovely little kitten!

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Kinder Scout, 17th Sept 2008 Final part of track from bottom of Jacobs ladder to Edale

The final part of the walk took us along the gently undulating Pennine Way back towards Edale. The weather may not have been perfect but the walking and the company had been outstanding.

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